Text-to-Speech (TTS) is one of the enhanced features that Kindle books have. This function allows your Kindle to read books to you. To access this feature, getting a TTS-enabled book is the first thing, and the second is to get a device supporting TTS.
Not all Kindle books support TTS, yet most of them do. If TTS is available for your Kindle book, you'll see 'Text-to-Speech: Enabled' under the 'Product details' on the product description page.
Updated: Besides use Text to Speech, there are many other better ways to listen to Kindle books. Here are all the best ways: How to Listen to Kindle Books: Turn Kindle Book into Audiobook.
Speech Assistant AAC is a text-to-speech app designed for people who are speech impaired, for example due to Aphasia, MND/ALS, Autism, Stroke, Cerebral Palsy or other speech problems. Jul 20, 2017 Also Read: How to Turn Off Autocorrect on iPhone or Mac. Make Mac Read on OS X Mavericks. Go to System Preferences by clicking on the Apple Menu. Next, click on Dictation & Speech and select Text to Speech tab. Finally, check the”Speak selected text.
Here in this post I'd like to clarify how to use Text-to-Speech on a variety of Kindle devices and apps.
Part 1. Use Text-to-Speech on Kindle e-reader (older model)
Part 2. Use Text-to-Speech on Kindle e-reader via VoiceView
Part 3. Use Text-to-Speech on Kindle Fire
Part 4. Use Text-to-Speech on Kindle for PC
Part 5. Use Text-to-Speech on Kindle for iOS/Android
Part 1. Use Text-to-Speech on Kindle e-reader (older model)
Text-to-Speech is accessible on those older model e-ink Kindles that Amazon has stopped producing, namely Kindle Touch, Kindle Keyboard, Kindle 2 and Kindle DX. If you don't have any of them, you can skip this part. If you do, then access the TTS as follows.
Step 1 Open the book you want Kindle to read.
Step 2 Press the 'Text' key. This key is labeled with 'Aa'. If you own a Kindle Touch, just tap the top of the screen to bring up the 'Menu'.
Step 3 Navigate down to 'Text-to-Speech', then select 'Turn On' next to it. Then your Kindle begins to read the text aloud. Alternatively, on the Kindle Touch, tap 'Turn On Text-to-Speech'. Listen with your Kindle's speaker, or through wired headphones if you prefer.
Part 2. Use Text-to-Speech on Kindle e-reader via VoiceView
Technically newer Kindles do support a form of Text-to-Speech. More accurately, Amazon has brought an accessibility feature called VoiceView to Kindle e-readers; Text-to-Speech just happens to be a by-product of this feature. You can access VoiceView over Bluetooth or through the Kindle Audio Adapter.
2.1 Use VoiceView Over Bluetooth
You can use VoiceView with current e-reader models (Paperwhite 4, Oasis 2 and Kindle 8) when you connect to a Bluetooth audio device (like headphones).
Step 1 Turn on your Bluetooth device and set it to pairing mode.
Step 2 On your Kindle, navigate to 'Settings', 'Accessibility' and then 'VoiceView Screen Reader'.
Step 3 Toggle 'VoiceView Screen Reader' on. Wait for a few seconds to hear audio VoiceView instructions to 'Hold two fingers on the screen to use this audio device with VoiceView screen reader on Kindle.' Once enabled, there's a tutorial and some settings become accessible.
2.2 Use VoiceView through Kindle Audio Adapter
VoiceView also works with some old Kindle (Kindle Paperwhite 3, Kindle Oasis and Kindle Voyage), but you have to use the Kindle Audio Adapter since they don't have Bluetooth.
Step 1 Plug the Micro-USB end of the adapter into your Kindle.
Step 2 Connect the other end to your audio device like headphones (which you should already have).
Step 3 Get Started with the VoiceView tutorial.
Voyage requires one additional step to use the adapter, but it's quite simple. That is, you have to download the audio files.
To be frank, for regular folks who just want to have TTS support on their Kindles, VoiceView is really cumbersome to use. You have to navigate the Kindle with a series of swipes at double-taps. After all, VoiceView is really aimed at visually impaired users, not for regular TTS function.
Part 3. Use Text-to-Speech on Kindle Fire
Kindle Fire tablets get far better Text-to-Speech support than any e-ink Kindle has ever got, with surprisingly pleasant voices and more adjustable settings. Almost all Kindle Fire models support TTS, except the Kindle Fire 1st Generation. Here let me illustrate how to activate TTS on current models.
Step 1 Open the e-book you want to read to you.
Step 2 Tap the center of the screen, and then the menu icon in the top right corner.
Step 3 Tap 'Additional Settings', and then toggle 'Text-to-Speech' on.
Step 4 In your Kindle book, tap the screen to show the progress bar, and then tap the 'Play' icon to hear the content read aloud. You can also adjust reading speed by tapping the 'NarrationSpeed' icon.
Tip: A number of extra voices can be installed to meet your preferences, including some foreign language voices. To get some of them, go to 'Language' under 'Settings'.
Part 4. Use Text-to-Speech on Kindle for PC
Text-to-Speech is also accessible on Kindle app for Windows and Mac (OSX 10.10 or above). This can easily read out text from speech-enabled books.
Step 1 Click on the book you wish to read.
Step 2 Navigate to 'Tools', and 'Start Text-to-Speech'. Then the voice begins to talk.
The Windows and Mac version of this app are similar, yet the screenshots below are taken from the former.
Part 5. Use Text-to-Speech on Kindle for iOS/Android
The native Kindle app for iOS or Android doesn't have Text-to-Speech feature normally. Still, you can use workarounds to read aloud the screen content.
5.1 Use Text-to-Speech on Kindle iOS
For an iOS device like iPhone or iPad, you can use a screen reading feature called Speak Screen, which works well with the Kindle app.
Step 1 Open 'Settings' app.
Step 2 Select 'General', 'Accessibility', 'Speech ' and toggle 'Speak Screen' on.
Step 3 Open the e-book you want read to you.
Step 4 Activate 'Speak Screen' by swiping down with two fingers from the top of the screen. Once you device recognizes this gesture, it'll start reading.
5.2 Use Text-to-Speech on Kindle Android
With the Kindle app for Android, you can use Google Text-to-Speech designed to read the screen content aloud.
Step 1 Download and install the app.
Step 2 Navigate to 'Settings', 'Language & Input' and then 'Text-to-Speech output'.
Step 3 Select 'Google Text-to-Speech Engine' as your default engine.
Step 4 Open the e-book you want read to you.
Step 5 Press the 'Menu' button, then select 'Start Text-to-Speech'. Your device will start to read the text aloud.
Though Text-to-Speech enables your Kindle to read to you, some users prefer to listen to audiobooks from Audible. Audible books brings a more immersive listening experience, for they are professionally narrated by actors, authors or well-known public figures. While Audible has its own file format with DRM protection, don't despair. Audible books can be converted to other common formats like MP3 with Audible Converter, then you can play them on almost any audio device.
Sophie works for Epubor and writes articles about ebooks, audiobooks and ereaders. She enjoys reading and wants to share everything new about reading.
By Adela D. Louie, Last updated: August 27, 2019
Text-to-speech as known as an assistive technology wherein it will be able to read any digital content that you have on your Mac. That is why this feature is sometimes called the “Read Aloud” technology.
All it takes is just one hit of a single button, the TTS will then be able to take some words on your Mac and have them be in audio. This is one helpful feature that you can use especially if you have a child that has difficulty in reading. In addition to that, it could also be very helpful to you as well especially if you are that type of person who loves to do multi-tasking.
And with that, we are going to show you in this article some of the text-to-speech that you can use on your Mac. This way, you will be able to do more tasks while listening to your digital content by activating text-to-speech.
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Part 1: Different Text-To-Speech for Mac
1. The macOS TTS
If you are looking for a text-to-speech for you to have to on your Mac, then you might want to consider the one that is already installed on your Mac before setting to get third-party applications. Yes, that is right. Your macOS actually comes with a built-in TTS that you can use anywhere from your computer including from your notes up to your browser.
For you to know how to use the built-in TTS that you have on your Mac, here are the things that you should do.
Step 1: Go ahead and choose all the text that you would want to read by your Mac.
Step 2: After that, go ahead and right-click on the selected words.
Step 3: From there, all you need to do is to click on Speech and then click on Start Speaking.
Once that you are done, your Mac will then be able to read the text that you have selected. The built-in TTS on your Mac also comes with different languages that you can choose from. And for you to be able to change your language, all you need to do is to click on Accessibility and then choose Speech.
However, the macOS TTS can only come with a basic work thus you will not be able to pause and play and more features. But this could be a perfect tool to use for those you just want a basic text-to-speech application.
PROS:
- It is a built-in app on your Mac
- Comes with several options for voice.
- It can convert text to an iTunes track
CONS:
- It does not have a Play and Pause button
- You have to manually choose the words that you want this app to read.
- It does not come with instant pickup.
2. Invicta TTS
This is one simple application of a text-to-speech that you can easily download from your Mac App Store. Once that you launch the Invicta on your Mac, it will automatically show you text box wherein you can paste the text that you want it to read.
The Invicta TTS is also one basic application, however, it can give you an option for you to be able to pause and play the audio that you are listening to especially if you are having a long article. The settings of its voice will not be changed, but the built-in voice that you have is actually quite good enough.
PROS:
- Comes with minimal and light
- Has a Play and Pause button
CONS:
- It does not have the ability to automatically read documents
- It can only support the English language
3. Natural Reader
The Natural Reader is one of the most powerful applications that you can use on your Mac as your TTS. But this app is not only available on Windows, iOS and even for Android devices. It also has an online reader.
The Natural Reader comes with so many features that you can use. This app comes with a free version but it can only give you some basic features of TTS and the ability to read from files such as Docx, PDF, ePub, and as well as Txt. You can also use it to read some words for you while you are using other applications on your Mac.
PROS:
- It has the ability to support file formats
- It has the ability to convert audios
- It can cross platforms
- Comes with OCR support
CONS:
- It has a high cost
- It does not come with an instant pickup
4. The Ready Aloud
Unlike any other TTS application, the Read Aloud app comes with a Chrome extension which is for some people comes appealing. This application is free to use and install and the icon of this TTS will be seen at the extension bar wherein you will be able to use to read any website or any articles that you want online.
You can also have it play or pause it or even have it rewind which is really handy. The Read-Aloud is a straight forward application that you can use.
PROS:
- Comes with a great and natural voice
- Has the rewind and forward button
- You can listen to webpages
CONS:
- It can only work on Google Chrome browser.
5. Capti Voice
Capti Voice is one app that actually used your browser so that it can function well. That means that this application is not a Mac standalone app. But the great is that you can still use the application even if you are offline.
This application comes with s subscription-based model but you can still make use of its free trial version and it still comes with a lot of features that you can actually use. And on the other side, if you are going to get its premium version, you will be able to use some features such as making your own playlist, OCR Support, and the intelligent dictionary lookup. Also, the voices that come with this TTS has a very high quality that you can enjoy listening to it.
PROS:
- It can create playlists
- Comes with dictionary lookup
- Comes with some shortcuts
- Can cross platforms using a mobile application
CONS:
- It is not a standalone app
- It can only sync if you use cloud storage.
Part 2: Keeping Your Mac from Unwanted Apps
Now, since that we are talking about some applications that you might be getting for you to have the best text-to-speech on your Mac, they might as well consider on getting removing all the apps that you no longer use. Apps that you have on your Mac that you do not actually need can take up a lot of space on your Mac. Which means that because of these unwanted apps that you have, you might experience slow performance on your Mac and some other related concerns.
Completely removing applications on your Mac is not just by putting them on your trash. You also have to make sure that you remove all of those files that come with the application that you want to remove. And with that, you may need to go through all of the files that you have on your Mac just to get the files that come with the app you are uninstalling. Now, this could really take a lot of your time.
Luckily we have the best tool that you can use for you to be able to remove all the apps that you no longer need on your Mac. And the best part of it is that it can also remove all of the files that are associated with the application. All of this is just one click. And the tool that we are talking about is no other than the FoneDog PowerMyMac.
The FoneDog PowerMyMac is considered to be the best Mac Cleaner that you can use for you to be able to clean up your Mac. Using this tool, you will be able to uninstall any apps on your Mac instantly. And to know more how the FoneDog PowerMyMac works, here is a quick guide for you.
Step 1: Grab the FoneDog PowerMyMac
First of all, you have to download the FoneDog PowerMyMac from our website and have it installed on your Mac.
Step 2: Open Up FoneDog PowerMyMac
After the successful installation of the program, you can then go ahead and open up the FoneDog PowerMyMac. And as you can see on the main screen of the program, the system status of your Mac is shown by default.
Step 3: Hit Toolkit Module
On the same screen, there are three modules that you can choose from. The first one is the Status wherein you see your Mac’s system status. The other one is Cleaner. And lastly is the Toolkit module. From those three, go ahead and hit on Toolkit.
Step 4: Select Uninstaller
Then, under the Toolkit module, you will be able to see several options that you can choose from. So from that list of options, you can just go ahead and choose the Uninstaller.
Step 5: Scan Process
After choosing the Uninstaller option, the FoneDog PowerMyMac will then instruct you to make a scan. This is where the FoneDog PowerMyMac will be able to find all of the applications that you have on your Mac. And for you to do this, just go ahead and simply click on the “Scan” button.
Then, the scanning process will then start. And after the scanning process is all done, you will then see a full circle icon located on the left part of the FoneDog PowerMyMac screen.
Step 6: Check the Result
Once that the process is done, you can then go ahead and see the result of the scanning process. For you to do so, just go ahead and simply click on the “View” button.
Step 7:Choose the App to Uninstall from Mac
Then, on the result page, you will be able to see all the applications that you have on your Mac. From there, just go ahead and simply scroll down and look for the application that you want to remove from your Mac. Then, go ahead and click on that application.
Step 8: Select the File to Clean Up
Now, on the right side of your screen, you will be able to see all the files that are associated with the application that you want to uninstall from your Mac. From there, just go ahead and choose all the files to remove along with the application. You can also make use the “Select All” button at the top of your screen for you to choose all the files at once.
Step 9: Clean All Files and Uninstall App
After choosing the app that you want to uninstall and as well as the files that you want to remove from your Mac, then it is now time for you to start the cleaning process. To do so, all you need to is to click on the Clean button at the bottom of your screen.
Step 10: Confirm the Process
After clicking on the Clean button, you will then be able to see a pop-up box appear on your screen. This is where the FoneDog PowerMyMac is asking for your confirmation on the cleaning process. So all you have to do now is to click on the Confirm button. Then the cleaning process will begin.
Apple Speech To Text App
Part 3: Conclusion
There is actually a lot of text-to-speech application that you can use on your Mac aside from the ones that we have mentioned above. So if you know any application, then you can go ahead and leave a comment to let us know.
Also, you have to make sure that you have the perfect uninstaller tool that you can use for you to remove any apps on your Mac. Or even the ones that you are going to install and would not like it. For that, you can go ahead and opt on getting the FoneDog PowerMyMac for you to have the best experience in cleaning up your Mac.